The best video games for kids right now

Follow the author of this article

Follow the topics within this article

There’s never been a better time to enjoy video games with your family. But with so much choice it can be hard to see the wood for the trees. Here’s a comprehensive list of 15 great games to play with your family. We cover all systems, all ages and abilities. Whether you are an avid gamer with kids or have never picked up a controller, there’s something here for you.

Knack 2 (PS4)

If you are looking for a real high impact action game that’s also family friendly, Knack 2 is a great option. The original game was a launch title for the PlayStation 4 but the follow up has a number of enhancements. The main attraction to young players is the ability to change the size of the robot hero. This isn’t a game about being big and powerful. Often, being small has a real advantage. There’s also a full co-operative mode in the new game, for two players. Each person has their own size-changing robot to control. Then there’s the beautifully animated story running through the game that, for younger players, is like playing their own Pixar movie.

Splatoon 2 (Switch)

Splatoon 2 is the perfect antidote to bloody head shots. Here the only splatters are from the ink players fire. It’s a perfect example of Nintendo taking a popular genre and turning it on its head. It was a lot of fun in its original incarnation on the Wii U. The follow up on the Switch is packed with more weapons and maps. It’s addictive fun, but takes considerable time and skill to master. There is a campaign mode but the real fun here is taking your skills online and battling other families from around the world.

Osmo Mind Racers (iOS)

Osmo games have made a name for themselves as uniquely educational experiences that use physical playing pieces placed in front of the iPad screen. A red lozenge at the top of the tablet enables the device to see what’s in front of it. Mind Racers brings real Hot Wheels cars, quite literally, to the table. Each player selects a car and then places it in the slot under the iPad. They appear instantly on screen for a quick action token-powered race challenge. You must use your power tokens wisely to get to the finish before your opponent. It’s a really nice way to combine real cars and on-screen racing and a perfect match for younger players in your family.

Lego Ninjago Movie Video-Game (Switch, PS4, Xbox One)

If you’ve played the Lego video games before you know the set-up here. Only this time, the movie franchise doesn’t need transformation into Lego form, as it’s already made out of bricks. The main game plays through the basic plot of the film. It’s not the longest campaign, but for good reason. Once you are done you can revisit each level and explore the worlds in full. This takes elements of the adventure worlds from Lego Dimensions and injects them into this larger experience. This, combined with a new approach to combat, makes Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game an unexpectedly innovative game.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)

Zelda is often thought of as a game for avid players rather than families. However, the latest game offers such a wide play experience there really is something for everyone. While really young players may struggle to navigate and fight their way through the world, the cooking and horse training aspects are perfect for them. Older players will enjoying the huge story arc and collection mechanics. It’s also great for family members who haven’t played a Zelda game before as Breath of the Wild can be taken at your own pace. In fact the story can be ignored for a long time while you explore the landscape and familiarise yourself with the world of Hyrule. However you play it, Zelda is a perfect game to play together, solving Shrine puzzles, battling enemies and even cooking new recipes for power-ups — there really is something for everyone.

Anki Overdrive Fast and Furious (iOS, Android)

Of all the recent toy and video game cross overs, the robot racing Anki cars have endured the best. Anki Overdrive is a game like Scalextrics where you race physical cars around a track you slot together. However, the cars are intelligent enough to keep themselves on the specially printed track without the need for a slot. This leaves players free to use their smartphone to control the racing line and speed of the cars. Then, on the screen the toy becomes a video game with virtual weapons than can be triggered at each other and power-ups at the end of each race. The latest version even adds the Fast & Furious brand, characters and cars to the action — giving the game a real world feel. Whether you’re a dad wanting to revisit the joys of slot car racing, or brothers wanting to do battle on the track, Anki Overdrive is a unique and cleverly conceived experience.

Roblox (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Oculus Rift)

This is the game-making experience that lets children re-create the fun and antics of the playground. A steady stream of popular user generated content ensures there’s always another game to play. However, it is the community’s ongoing involvement in Roblox that makes it really stand out. Games are finely tuned over weeks and months and cross a variety of genres that commercial game makers simply couldn’t consider. The result is a joyous collection of child-like experiences covering everything from surviving a tsunami to working in a pizza restaurant. If you already own the game, check out the related toys for some stocking filling fun.

Alto’s Adventure (iOS, Android)

Alto’s Adventure stands head and shoulders about other endless runners. Here you control a variety of snow boarding characters racing down an alpine mountainside collecting coins, herding Llamas and avoiding the dangerous elders. It’s the tranquil look of the game as much as the action that attracts families to play this. The landscape is beautifully realised as the sun sets and moon comes up, or rain starts to fall on the mountain. The game starts easy but soon ups the difficulty. It’s a perfect distraction for young players but also an excellent obsession for older family members wanting to get the highest score.

Yooka-Laylee (PC, Linux, Mac, PS4, Xbox One)

Don’t let mediocre reviews put you off this game for your family. Seen through youngster’s eyes this is an adventure perfectly made for them. An action platform game, Yooka-Laylee recreates classic game-play style from the games mums and dads used to play growing up — Banjo Kazooie and the like. While the tongue in cheek humour will keep parents involved, the charming characters and steady progression are perfect for younger players with a bit of gaming skill under their belt. There’s a real sense of fun to the whole experience that offers a huge amount of enjoyment for families.

Minecraft Better Together (Android, Windows, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)

This is the new version of Minecraft that brings servers, the marketplace and lots of new game modes to consoles, tablets and PC. While you might want to check your family settings to ensure you are happy with how children interact online, simply put this is the most comprehensive version of Minecraft to date. Better still Xbox players can compete with friends and family on the Switch, PC or tablets.

Tricky Towers (Steam, PS4, Vita)

If you grew up playing Tetris this is the perfect game to introduce your children to. Not only does it offer a chance to role out your block stacking prowess but its four player challenges are perfect to get everyone playing. This is Tetris with a difference, though: in includes real world physics. This means your towers of Tetrominos must be perfectly balanced. Too many bricks on one side and it will topple over. It’s a simple change, but one that makes a huge difference and is perfect for rainy days-in with the kids.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch)

If you’ve enjoyed any of the Mario Kart games in your household, this is the perfect time to rediscover kart racing like only Nintendo can do it. Not only are there new karts and competitors but the battle modes are back from previous versions. These offer great arena challenges suitable for all ages. New difficulty settings also make this a game that can grow with your child’s online driving experience. At the highest level Mario Kart will challenge even the most expert of racers.

TowerFall Ascension (Steam, PS4, Vita)

This is another game that looks simple but has a lot of depth. It’s a classic battle arena challenge for up to four people. Each character must collect arrows and power-ups to overcome the other human opponents. It’s a knife edge fight as every shot counts. If you miss, the other players can run and pick up your ammunition and use it against you. Get children and parents playing this together and it’s the perfect recipe for weekend entertainment.

Mini Metro (iOS, Android)

This is a beautifully simple challenge to design your own tube system. Kids will love the drag and tap interface and bright primary coloured visuals. As you plan different tube lines you must ensure the geometrically shaped passengers can reach the station with a matching shape. It’s another game that starts simply but soon has you hooked. With transport systems from around the world, it not only offers a huge amount of play value but it also teaches children about different cities and how to get around them.

Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens (iOS, Android)

If you’ve played the Thinkrolls games before you’ll know they are a treat for young players. Kings & Queens adds royalty to the usual fun. It offers some cleverly constructed logic puzzles that require players to understand the mechanics of gravity — amongst other things. As you progress through the levels you make a path for the protagonist to travel through a super-sized maze. To achieve this players must manipulate and construct various bridges, mechanics and trap doors. It’s another simple idea well executed for the younger players in your household.